Academic Blog Mk Three: High 'Tech' Anxiety

Technophobia is just another one of those topics that draws my attention especially in film. When you think about how many times science fiction uses technology as a catalyst to destruction or the very antagonist its self, you tend to see that technology will ultimately destroy us. Or it will be our Savior. This is a classic dichotomy in the science fiction genre, technology (and science) will either doom us or create the needs to save us. If you look back at the golden age of science fiction film there is a clear reflection of the anxiety in society over nuclear science and technology. One example of this would be "Them!" (1954) which featured a nest of radioactive ants caused by atomic fallout. In the height of atomic testing it's clear to see why there was an anxiety over the effects atomic testing was having at the time. A counter to this though would be "The beast from 20,000 fathoms"(1953) where nuclear science saves the world from a giant dinosaur.

Personal computers, video games, the Internet and many others have been used as plot devices in cinema to play off the inherent anxiety we have over technology. The more our lives become dependent on something the more nervous we become that it will fail us or worse, actively turn against us. We see this in films like "The Terminator"(1984) and "The Matrix"(1999) where advanced technology has destroyed all human civilisation. Though the impact of online social media hasn't really been explored in science fiction...at least not to the point where the world is a post apocalyptia because of it. Digital media in science fiction always seems to serve as a background device, just an extra problem in dystopian world that pacifies the populous. "Gamer"(2009) is a good example of this where the concept of "Second life" is taken to an absolute extreme.

So basically what I'm trying to get at with this is that if we look at the reflection of technology in science fiction we kinda get a glimpse into out collective fears. This is nothing new because...well...all art is a reflection of some feeling we have as a society.

Anyway that's all I got for this week, I think there was just too much running through my head to fit into a post without it being an essay. anyhow till next time.

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